Almond variety named ‘MIRA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct almond variety of Prunus dulcis named ‘MIRA’, particularly characterized by self-fertility and very high production. Other desirable characteristics include early harvest time, well-sealed semihard shells, and high quality, sweet kernels with high oil content.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus dulcis.

Variety denomination: ‘MIRA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of almondvarieties, botanically known as Prunus dulcis, and hereinafter referredto by the name ‘MIRA’.

The disclosure provides a new and distinct variety of almond tree,botanically known as Prunus dulcis, synonymous with Prunus amygdalusBatsch., Amygdalus communis L., and Amygdalus dulcis Mill., whichbelongs to the Rosaceae family, and is hereinafter referred to by thevariety denomination ‘MIRA’.

The new Prunus dulcis variety is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventors Michelle Wirthensohn and AndrewGranger in Adelaide, Australia. The objective of the breeding programwas to develop new almond varieties with high production, self-fertilityand good kernel characteristics.

The new Prunus dulcis ‘MIRA’ originated from a cross in 1998 inAdelaide, Australia. The female or seed parent is Prunus dulcis varietydesignated ‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) and the male or pollen parent is theFrench self-fertile Prunus dulcis variety designated ‘Lauranne’(unpatented). The new Prunus dulcis ‘MIRA’ was selected by the inventorsfrom the progeny of the stated cross in field trials in 2009 in LindsayPoint, Australia. First observations occurred in 2003.

Asexual propagation of the new Prunus dulcis ‘MIRA’ by grafting ontoPrunus persica (L.) Batsch rootstock designated ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)was first performed in 2005 in the orchard located in Lindsay Point,Australia. Asexual propagation of the new Prunus dulcis ‘MIRA’ hasconfirmed that the characteristics as herein disclosed for the newvariety are stable and retained through successive generations ofasexual propagation. The new variety propagates true-to-type.

Asexual reproduction of the new almond tree has shown that the uniquefeatures of this new almond tree are stable and reproduced true to typein successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘MIRA’ variety of almond is of medium to large size, similar to‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented), strong vigor with slightly open growth anddemonstrates very high and regular production of semi-hard shell nutswith kernels having an excellent flavour similar to ‘Nonpareil’(unpatented). The harvest maturity is early, similar to ‘Nonpareil’(unpatented) and the nuts release from the hulls readily. Doubles arenot produced under growing conditions in the Riverland area of SouthAustralia. The tree is self-fertile and, therefore, is able to producealmonds without the use of pollinators.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics which make the new variety ‘MIRA’ clearlydistinguishable from its parents and the variety most similar of commonknowledge which is ‘Guara” (patented):

-   1. very high productivity;-   2. attractive kernels with early maturity; and-   3. self-fertility.

The following characteristics listed in Table 1 have been repeatedlyobserved in combination and distinguish ‘MIRA’ as a new and distinctalmond variety:

TABLE 1 Most similar variety of Female common New parent Male parentknowledge variety ‘Nonpareil’ ‘Lauranne’ ‘Guara’ Trait ‘MIRA’(unpatented) (unpatented) (patented) Shell type Semihard Paper HardSemihard Tree vigor High Medium Low Medium Self-fertility Present AbsentPresent Present Flowering Medium Early- Late- Medium time medium verylate Fruit size Medium Medium Small Medium Time of Early Early Early-Medium maturity medium

Distinguishing characteristics of ‘MIRA’ are set out in Table 1. Plantsof the new ‘MIRA’ almond tree have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may varysomewhat with variations in environment, such as temperature, day lengthand light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The primary difference between the new variety and the female parent‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) is the new variety is self-fertile, whereas‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) is self-sterile and requires a pollinator treeplanted near to fertilize the flowers and, thus, produce almonds. Incomparison to its male parent ‘Lauranne’ (unpatented), the new varietyblooms earlier by about 5-7 days, has larger fruit, and high tree vigor.

The primary difference between the new variety and the most similarvariety of common knowledge ‘Guara’ (patented) is the new variety hashigh tree vigor, and early maturity, whereas ‘Guara’ (patented) hasmedium vigor and medium maturity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographs (drawings) illustrate the overallappearance of the new Prunus dulcis ‘MIRA’ showing the colors, as trueas is reasonably possible with digital reproduction. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘MIRA’. The trees were grown on Nemaguard rootstock.

FIG. 1 shows typical flowers of ‘MIRA’, dissected (FIG. 1A) and in situ(FIG. 1B).

FIG. 2 shows various images of fruit of ‘MIRA’, including a one year-oldshoot, showing green immature fruit (FIG. 2A), mature fruit in situ(FIG. 2B), and kernel and dry fruit shape (FIG. 2C).

FIG. 3 shows a typical four year-old tree of ‘MIRA’ on 15 Sep. 2010.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown outside under natural season conditions andcultural practices which approximate those generally used in commercialalmond production. During the production of the plants, day temperaturesranged from about 14.5° C. to 48.2° C., night ranged from about −5.7° C.to 14° C. and light levels ranged from about 126,905 to 564,729foot-candles. Measurements and numerical values represent averages fortypical flowering plants.

The following is a detailed description of the new ‘MIRA’ variety whenobserved during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2015 at Lindsay Point,Victoria, Australia. During 2015, the ‘MIRA’ trees were nine years ofage. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurementstaken from a number of trees of ‘MIRA’. The measurements of anyindividual tree (or any group of trees) of ‘MIRA’ may vary from thestated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.)., sixth edition, (2015). Color values were taken underconditions of natural light.

All of the trees of ‘MIRA’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen consistent in the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Prunus dulcis.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed parent.—Prunus dulcis variety designated            ‘Nonpareil’, unpatented.        -   Male, or pollen parent.—French self-fertile Prunus dulcis            variety designated ‘Lauranne’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Budding onto rootstock.        -   Time to initiate roots.—NA.        -   Time to produce young plant.—Eight months.        -   Root description.—‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock.-   Plant description:-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Similar size to Nonpareil. Mature tree height is            approximately 4.8 meters with a spread of approximately 5            meters.        -   Vigor.—Strong.        -   Density.—High.        -   Habit.—Slightly open.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—At 4 years of age, about 15 cm wide at about 47.8            cm high.        -   Texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Color of bark.—RHS 200D, moderate brown.        -   Lenticels length.—About 4.3 mm.        -   Lenticels width.—About 1.9 mm.        -   Lenticels density.—About 7 per cm² on nine year-old wood.        -   Lenticels shape.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Lenticels color.—RHS 154B, brownish orange.-   Current season shoot:    -   -   Shape in cross section.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS 143A, strong yellow green.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.-   One year-old shoot:    -   -   Length.—Up to about 80 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth to slightly rough.        -   Internode length.—About 15-23 mm.        -   Thickness.—Thin to medium, about 2.8-4.2 mm.        -   Shape in cross section.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS N199B, light olive brown.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Very strong coloration on sunny            side; Lower surface color: RHS 143A; Upper surface color:            RHS 166A.        -   Intensity of anthocyanin coloration.—Strong.        -   Feathering.—Much.        -   Lenticels.—Present.        -   Lenticels density.—About 11-18 per cm².        -   Lenticels shape.—Elliptical.        -   Lenticels length.—About 1.0-1.4 mm.        -   Lenticels width.—About 0.8-1.0 mm.        -   Lenticels color.—RHS 161C.-   Buds:    -   -   Shape.—Lateral: obtuse; Terminal: acute.        -   Length.—Lateral: About 6.9-8.1 mm; Terminal: About 7.6-8.2            mm.        -   Diameter.—Lateral: About 2.9-3.3 mm; Terminal: About 2-2.22            mm.        -   Color.—Lateral: RHS 200B pubescent; Terminal: RHS 200A            pubescent.-   Spurs:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Length.—About 14-64.2 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 3.9-5.1 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.        -   Leaves per spur.—About 7.1.-   Mature wood:    -   -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Density.—Dense.-   Leaf blade:    -   -   Length.—About 64-90 mm, average 75 mm.        -   Width.—About 16-25 mm, average 21 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—Low.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of apex.—Acute.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS NN137A, greyish olive green.        -   Incisions of margin.—Crenate.        -   Venation type.—Arcuate to pinnate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—About 18-29 mm, average 24 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 143A, strong yellow green.        -   Shape in cross section.—Concave.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Distribution.—Intermediate.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Color of tip of petals.—RHS 62D, pale purplish pink.        -   Color of sepals.—RHS 183B, dark red.        -   Hairiness of sepals.—Absent or very weak.-   Flower:    -   -   Diameter of flower—About 32-44 mm, average 41 mm, medium.        -   Depth of flower—About 15.1 mm (average).        -   Number of flowers.—Single or clusters up to about seven.        -   Texture of flower.—Smooth.        -   Scent of flower.—Fragrant.        -   Length of petals.—About 18.99 mm (average).        -   Width of petals.—About 13.05 mm (average).        -   Texture of petals.—Upper surface: Velvet; Lower surface:            Velvet.        -   Margin.—Indented, retuse, 2 or 3 lobes, wavy jargin.        -   Shape of petals.—Narrow elliptic to elliptic.        -   Shape of apex.—Retuse, indented.        -   Shape of base.—Acute.        -   Number of petals.—Five.        -   Color of petals.—Upper surface: RHS N155D, yellowish white.            Lower surface: RHS NN155D with small amount of blush.        -   Number of stamens.—About 35 (average).        -   Color of stamens.—White.        -   Number of pistils.—Always one.        -   Length of pistils.—About 16 mm (average).        -   Color of pistils.—RHS 144D.        -   Position of stigma as compared with anthers.—Below.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—Five to six.        -   Shape.—Narrow to broad elliptic.        -   Length.—About 7.04 mm (average).        -   Width.—About 3.86 mm (average).        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Very hairy.        -   Color.—Outer surface: RHS 138B with RHS 187C anthocy; Inner            surface: RHS 138B.-   Pedicals:    -   -   Length.—About 2.82 mm (average).        -   Color.—RHS 144B.-   Stamen:    -   -   Anthocyanin coloration of filament.—White.        -   Length of filament.—About 7.98 mm (average).-   Stigma:    -   -   Size.—Medium.-   Pollen:    -   -   Amount.—Abundant.        -   Color.—RHS 153D.-   Green fruit:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Average length.—About 33.31 mm.        -   Average width.—About 26.22 mm.        -   Average thickness.—About 21.54 mm.        -   Color.—RHS N148D, moderate yellow green.        -   Pubescence.—Much.-   Dry fruit:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Shape of apex.—Pointed.        -   Length.—About 26-30 mm.        -   Width.—About 20-24 mm.        -   Thickness.—About 15-17 mm.        -   Average weight.—About 2.6 g.        -   Color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow.        -   Surface.—Smooth with moderate pitting.        -   Thickness of endocarp.—About 1.6-3 mm.        -   Resistance to cracking.—Medium, semihard.        -   Percentage of kernel to dry fruit.—Approximately 40%.        -   Keel development.—Medium.        -   Distribution on tree.—Intermediate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Color.—Inner surface: RHS 164C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Percentage of double kernels.—None.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent. Oil content average is about            61.3%; Oleic acid is about 59.3%, Vitamin E is about 59.3            mg/100 g oil.        -   Production.—Regular fruit bearer.-   Kernel:    -   -   Shape.—Broad elliptic.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Average weight.—About 1.2 g.        -   Length.—About 20-23 mm.        -   Width.—About 12-15 mm.        -   Thickness.—About 8-9.5 mm.        -   Main color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow.        -   Intensity of color.—Light.        -   Rugosity.—Weak.        -   Taste.—Sweet.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Yield.—About 6,179 kg/ha at 10 years.-   Blooming/flowering timing:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Mid-August to early            September (late winter to early spring — Australia); Full            bloom four to six days after ‘Nonpareil’.        -   Time of leaf budburst in relation to beginning of            flowering.—Well after flowering has almost ended.        -   Flowering period.—Mid-August to early September (late winter            to early spring — Australia); Up to three weeks depending on            the weather; Full bloom about mid-August.        -   Time of maturity.—Approximately 29 weeks from beginning of            flowering (about 7 months from August to March — Australia).-   Cultural characteristics:    -   -   Susceptibility to disease.—Fair tolerance to bacterial spot.-   Storage/shipping:    -   -   Storage.—Good storage ability due to high vitamin E levels            (about 59 mg/100 ml oil).        -   Shipping quality.—Good.-   Harvest:    -   -   Peak.—February (late summer — Australia); Approximately 5            days after Nonpareil.-   Pest resistance/susceptibility:    -   -   Resistance.—Semi-hard shell is resistant to insect attacks.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree (Prunus dulcis)named ‘MIRA’, as illustrated and described herein.